Senior Immigration Lawyer

Bristol, Leeds, Manchester, Croydon, London

£71,000 National

£74,000 London/Croydon

From healthcare to artificial intelligence, energy to national security, we provide legal advice to government departments on nation-changing subjects. Our work touches almost every aspect of public life. At Government Legal Department we have a vital, single-minded purpose: to help the Government govern well within the rule of law.

The role

The Home Office and Immigration Division is responsible for public law litigation across government departments and public bodies, including the Cabinet Office, DWP, DHSC and the Parole Board, as well as immigration public law challenges for the Home Office (HO). We also undertake private law litigation for the HO, FCDO, DfE, MHCLG and DEFRA.

Our Immigration Litigation Teams focus on judicial review challenges to Home Office immigration decisions, ranging from straightforward refusals of visitor or student applications to high-profile reviews of major immigration policies, such as the removal of asylum seekers to Rwanda.

We also carry out specialist work for the Attorney General, supporting his public interest function — expertise not available anywhere else inside or outside government.

As Senior Immigration Lawyer, you’ll provide legal advice on litigation. You’ll demonstrate strong skills in legal and strategic analysis, sound judgement, pragmatism and pro-activity. You’ll support the Deputy Director and Senior Lawyers in leading the rest of the team, this may be through training, projects and other corporate opportunities. Plus, you’ll work with external partners to ensure quality and hold them accountable for delivering litigation and disputes on time, within budget, and to standard.

All GLD employees must hold BPSS security clearance.  If successful for this post you must hold, or be willing and able to obtain BPSS level security clearance. You cannot start your position until you hold this clearance level.

You can work full-time, part-time or as part of a job share.

About you

An excellent understanding of public law is key, coupled with either experience of or aptitude for litigation. It would be desirable if you have a background in immigration law too. You bring reliable legal judgment and an appreciation for risk, and how to mitigate it. A creative and strategic thinker, you’re able to see legal issues in their wider context and advise accordingly. It’s key that you’re a confident communicator, both orally and in writing. You’re familiar with the role of lawyers in Government and the importance of working collaboratively across departments.

We’d also like you to demonstrate the following behaviours from our Success Profiles:

• Leadership (Lead Behaviour)
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Developing Self and Others

Benefits

GLD encourages its people to develop their skills in a nurturing environment. Other benefits include access to a valuable civil service pension and flexible working arrangements.

GLD is much more than the law. Our vision is to be an outstanding legal organisation and a brilliant place to work where everyone can thrive and fulfil their potential. This is an exciting time for GLD, with cutting edge legal work on global issues and a transformation agenda which is ensuring the Department exemplifies the Modern Civil Service.

Closing date for applications: Noon Monday 15th December 2025

Apply by clicking on the Apply Below